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Chevy Spark Vs. Kia Rio 5-Door

By Justin Cupler|July 5th, 2019

The subcompact hatchback realm is filled with value-oriented models that deliver great fuel economy and low prices. The 2019 Chevy Spark and 2019 Kia Rio are two of the best in the biz at delivering these benefits to our Glendale Heights area car shoppers. Which one is the better buy for you? Find out below.

Exterior

In 2018, Kia redesigned the Rio 5-Door, bringing in an all-new look that included a wider tiger-nose grille, a broad and flat hood, and more to make this once-playful hatchback look all grown up. While this more mature look may turn off younger buyers seeking a more creative appearance, it is far from boring and appeals to the masses.

The Chevy Spark had its last redesign in 2015, but it still looks sharp with its more traditional headlights relative to its previous generation and additional brightwork on the higher trim levels. An added wrinkle in the Spark lineup is the ACTIV trim that adds a lifted suspension for more ground clearance and black body cladding to give it a more rugged appearance.

In terms of sizing, the 2019 Spark is significantly smaller than the 2019 Kia Rio in virtually every measurable except height.

The Spark and Rio are both very simple in their base trim levels, as they include basic features like 15-inch steel wheels, black exterior pieces, and basic halogen headlights. The Spark gets more premium in its higher trim levels. The Rio has just one trim level, but there are plenty of options to match the higher-trimmed Spark.

Measurement

2019 Chevy Spark

2019 Kia Rio

Difference

Length

143.1 inches

160 inches

-16.9 inches

Width

62.8 inches

67.9 inches

-5.1 inches

Height

58.4 to 58.76 inches

57.1 inches

+1.4 to +1.66 inches

Wheelbase

93.9 inches

101.6 inches

-7.7 inches

Ground Clearance

5.5 inches

Curb weight

2,246 to 2,312 pounds

2,714

-468 to -402 inches

Advantage:2019 Kia Rio 5-Door

Stylish new look

Looks more premium than its price implies

Advantage: 2019 Chevy Spark

More trim levels to pick from

Rugged-looking ACTIV trim

Sharp brightwork on higher trims

Interior

Inside, the Kia Rio’s cabin is one of the more creative and premium ones in the subcompact class. It includes a clean dash layout, upscale-looking steering wheel, simple climate-control interface, and more. This combined with its desirable standard features like a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, UVO Play infotainment, power windows and door locks, and more. The issue with the Rio 5-Door is there are very few interior options, with the most notable being SiriusXM radio.

The 2019 Chevy Spark’s cabin is far simpler and more up the alley for the typical subcompact hatchback with its center stack encasulated in a gloss-black bezel, swoopier lines, and simple rotary climate controls. The Spark’s interior features match the Rio’s with its 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, carpeted floor mats, and more. The only space it falls behind is with its four-speeaker audio system. Where the Spark sets itself apart are in its options that include leatherette seating and heated front seats.

Inside, the Spark falls short on space next to the larger and roomier Rio, especially in shoulder room. Fortunately, its legroom remains within a half-inch of the Rio, keeping it a close competition for taller riders.

Measurement

2019 Chevy Spark

2019 Kia Rio

Difference

Front headroom

39 inches

38.9 inches

+0.1 inches

Front legroom

41.7 inches

42.1 inches

-0.4 inches

Front shoulder room

50.8 inches

54.1 inches

-3.3 inches

Front hip room

48.2 inches

52.9 inches

-4.7 inches

Rear headroom

37 inches

38 inches

–1 inch

Rear legroom

33 inches

33.5 inches

-0.5 inches

Rear shoulder room

49.8 inches

53.3 inches

-3.5 inches

Rear hip room

48 inches

52.4 inches

-4.4 inches

Cargo room (seats upright)

11.1 cubic feet

17.4 cubic feet

-6.3 cubic feet

Cargo room (seats folded)

27.2 cubic feet

32.8 cubic feet

-5.6 cubic feet

Advantage: 2019 Kia Rio 5-Door

Roomier cabin

Loads of style

Advantage: 2019 Chevy Spark

Loads of value

Performance

Under their hoods, subcompact hatchbacks rarely pack much of a punch. The 2019 Chevy Spark fits this bill with a 98-horsepower 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a standard five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission that gets this tiny hatchback to 60 mph in 10.7 seconds.

The 2019 Rio has more pop with a 130-horsepower 1.6-liter four-pot paired to a six-speed automatic that sprints it to 60 mph in a more acceptable 8.9 seconds. This small Kia also gets high marks from experts in its comfortable ride combined with predictable handling.

Both models are thrifty too with the Spark delivering up to 30 mpg city, 38 highway, and 33 combined and the Rio getting up to 28 mpg city, 37 highway, and 32 combined.

2019 Chevy Spark

2019 Kia Rio

Difference

Engine

1.4-liter 4-cyl

1.6-liter 4-cyl

Horsepower

98 hp at 6,200 rpm

130 hp at 6,300 rpm

-32 hp

Torque

94 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm

119 lb-ft at 4,850 rpm

-25 lb-ft

Standard transmission

5-spd manual

6-spd automatic

Optional transmission

CVT

Driveline

FWD

FWD

0-60 time

10.7 seconds

8.9 seconds

+1.8 seconds

MPG City

29 to 30 mpg

28

+1 to +2 mpg

MPG Highway

37 to 38 mpg

37

+0 to +1 mpg

MPG Combined

32 to 33 mpg

32

+0 to +1 mpg

Advantage: 2019 Kia Rio

More potent four-cylinder engine

Significantly quicker to 60 mph

Smooth ride

Advantage: 2019 Chevy Spark

Available manual transmission

Slight fuel economy advantage

Off-road friendly ACTIV trim

Pricing and Features

The 2019 Chevy Spark has four trim levels — LS, 1LT, ACTIV, and 2LT — and their starting prices range from $14,095 to $17,495.

The 2019 Kia Rio has a very simple lineup that includes just the S trim level, which starts from $16,490.

2019 Chevy Spark Key Features and Pricing by Trim

LS: $14,095

1.4-liter four-cylinder engine

Five-speed manual transmission

Front-wheel drive

Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes

Hill-start assist

15-inch steel wheels

Automatic halogen projector-beam headlights

Daytime running lights

Black manual mirrors

Variable-intermittent windshield wipers

Body-color door handles

Rear spoiler

Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming

Single-zone manual climate control

Rear cargo area light

60/40 split-folding rear seat

Two-way manual passenger’s seat

Manual tilt steering wheel

Rear cargo shelf

Passenger seatback map pocket

Carpeted floor mats

Driver information center

Outside temperature display

12-volt power outlet

4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot

Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System

7-inch touchscreen

Apple CarPlay

Android Auto

Two USB data ports

Four-speaker AM/FM audio system

Siri Eyes Free

Cloth seating

Carpeted floor mats

Manual windows

Black inside door handles

Rearview camera

1LT: $15,995

All LS features, plus

15-inch aluminum wheels

LED daytime running lights

Six-speaker audio system

SiriusXM radio

Steering-wheel-mounted controls

Cruise control

Remote keyless entry

Power door locks

Power windows with driver’s side one-touch up/down

Power, heated mirrors

Theft-deterrent entry system

ACTIV: $17,095

All 1LT features, plus

Raised suspension

Unique 15-inch alloy wheels

Roof rails

Wheelhouse and lower body cladding

Unique front grille and fascia

Fog lights

Leatherette seating

Heated front seats

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

2LT: $17,495

All 1LT features, plus

Chrome door handles

Chrome liftgate trim

Chrome beltline moldings

Heated front seats

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Enhanced driver-information center

Leatherette seating

Keyless open and ignition

Chrome interior door handles

Rear parking sensors

2019 Kia Rio Key Features and Pricing by Trim

S: $16,490

1.5-liter four-cylinder engine

Six-speed automatic transmission

Front-wheel drive

Electric power steering

15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps

Multireflector halogen headlights

Automatic-on/off headlights

Black-and-silver grille

Body-color bumpers

Body-color door handles

Body-color, heated, power mirrors

Tinted glass

Variable-intermittent windshield wipers

Tilt steering

3.5-inch driver-information center

Sunglasses holder

Matte-silver interior door handles

Cargo area light

Luggage net hook

Cargo cover

Woven tricot cloth seating

Six-way manual driver’s seat

6040 split-folding rear seat

Passenger seatback pocket

Polyurethane steering wheel and shift knob

Air conditioning

UVO Play infotainment screen

Android Auto

Apple CarPlay

7-inch touchscreen

Six-speaker AM/FM/MP3 audio system

Bluetooth connectivity

USB and auxiliary inputs

Rear USB charger

Steering-wheel-mounted controls

Power windows with one-touch-down driver’s glass

Cruise control

Remote keyless entry

Power door locks

Hill-start assist

Who Should Buy the 2019 Kia Rio?

Buyers looking for a larger, more powerful subcompact hatchback will appreciate what the Rio offers. It comes at a premium, which hurts its value a bit, but it still a good for these specific buyer types.

Who Should Buy the 2019 Chevy Spark?

The 2019 Chevy Spark is a great value with its Rio-matching standard features and additional goodies in its higher trims. Plus, the ACTIV trim gives buyers a rugged look certain buyers seek.

Whether you commute to school in Wheaton, drive to work in Carol Stream, or just cruise to Lombard on the weekends, the 2019 Chevy Spark can handle it all with great efficiency. Head down to Sunrise Chevrolet in Glendale Heights today to test drive this high-efficiency subcompact hatchback. Can’t make it to our showroom serving the Wheaton area today? Navigate to our online showroom and see all our in-stock 2019 Spark models, choose one that suits your needs, and schedule a test drive at your convenience.